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Dover, DE

If I have a compost pile and/or spread manure in the spring along with using coffee grounds. . . . do I need anything else for fertilizer ??? Or is this enough ????
Also, Is it o.k to use Miricle Grow ?????

(sorry for all these new questions)

pg#1

12/14/2009 11:04:13 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Without a soil test you are shooting in the dark. If your manure is fresh you may end up with a lot of extra nitrogen. If it is composted and older, a lot of the nitrogen may have been lost to the atmosphere. If you spread it too thin you may be short on P & K. A PH test is critical: if ph isn't right some of the nutrients wou't be available to the plants. If soil is too acid, add lime: if too alkaline a lot of people add sulfur. I like to keep my PH close to neutral 7. If you get your amendments worked in early in the spring and do your test then, you may have time to make additional fertilizer or ph adjustments.

Some growers use Miracle grow as a supplement and others don't. If you do use it, use one with a higher P earlier in the season to stimulate roots and flowering. After the fruit sets, switch to tomato or rose food or another formulation with higher K to stimulate fruit growth. But that can be tricky as too much K can cause fruit to mature too quickly or even blow up. Use of too much soluable fertilizer can be hard on soil bacteria as it adds a lot of salts.

Don't be sorry for asking questions. It is better than being sorry for having your patch fail due to mistakes that could have been avoided by asking questions.

12/14/2009 1:32:17 PM

Dover, DE

thanks iowegian for the advice

happy holidays

pg1

12/14/2009 4:33:43 PM

Western PA

You definitely need a soil test to know where your running at. There is no telling what you still might need with out the soil test.

Miracle grow, can be used success and works to an extent. Miracle grow does seem to be frowned upon when it comes to extreme pumpkin growing. It it is a chemical fertilizer high in salts that will harm your soil in the long run.

Most growers seem to go with a more organic fertilizing program. although most growers still use chemical forms of pesticides and fungicides.

Have a good one.

12/18/2009 4:04:06 PM